y furniture a golden glow. Maya was entangled in the silk sheets, her body burdened by the choices she had made th

il. Adrian and I had a deeper connection than a reckless one-night fling. It was powerful, all-consuming, and tinged with something far more subtle than mere desire. Although his touch had

st a bit late. She could still discreetly go and avoid the awkward talk the morning after. She could seem as though last night

to fall off the bed, a deep v

eading out

om doorway, his waist wrapped in a towel. Her tummy turned over as she saw his intense bl

't think he would be awake, much less be standing there like a G

u wouldn't be bothering me," he remarked in a soft, yet authoritative voice that suggested

d for him. Though it had been an exciting night, she was uneasy about spending more t

or her clothing, which was lying crumpled on the floor where

row while feigning a

she had fallen victim to deception. "Well

. Rather than doing so, he just observed her, his gaze following her ever

o keep you here." "However

ore follow-up correspondence or lingering looks. They were expected to return to their separate lives, strangers onc

t by forcing a smile. "I don't

hange, although his eyes di

"Yes, last night was enjoyable, but let's face it-it wa

dered if she had said the wrong thing. But she couldn

ice, he murmured, "I see."

xperienced an odd feeling of disappointment in her chest. She had achieved her goal of a clear-cu

nd making her way to the door, her heart racing. Adrian's

ay

him, her breath c

ast night wasn't just fun f

forced a smile on her face, hiding her fe

t, she wa

ick to the system. The metropolis that never slept was covered in severe shadows due to the sun's high

in her. It wasn't just that I had

erself with barriers for years, avoiding close relationships. She had no other way to survive but by d

st apartment located on the city's periphery. Maya's thoughts were a jumble,

o have been more aware. Instead of having relationships, men like Adrian Blackwo

that last night had been a mistake. The way he had made her feel and the way he had looked

to the uneven ground. Although her apartment building was far less opulent than Adrian's pentho

oor, opened the door, and entered. There was a slight odor of coffee grounds from the previous morning, and

s, no complexities. It was only a passionate evening, and it was

er closest friend would tell her that she shouldn't be proud of herself for not becoming atta

It was apprehension. Fear of what he stood for. Strength. Ric

yearned to see him once again. who were curious to l

to afford to think that

he thought that to get rid of the leftovers of the previous nigh

oured over her body. It had gotten worse for her than this. One night

y a passing encounter as the steam filled the bathroom and the water hammered on her ski

her heart that

e window of his penthouse suite and gazing out at the cityscape. Though his tho

a

ut her when he'd first seen her in the pub. She wasn't like the ladies he typically encountered in situatio

was go

, but the burn of the alcohol did not help much. This was not how he usually felt

e, though,

ling that he had